Our phytochemical study focused on the leaves of Citrus deliciosa of Algerian origin, in order to evaluate its antioxidant activity and its acute toxicity, using scavenger activity of DPPH radicals, ABTS and acute toxicity. The ethanol extract of Citrus deliciosa contains 85.62 ± 2.24 μg /mg dried matter and 3.02 ± 0.17 μg/mg dried matter. The antioxidant activity was confirmed against the DPPH radical (IC50 = 252.07 ± 0.02 μg /mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 398.26 ± 0.01 μg /mL). No mortality or abnormal behavior was observed in mice at oral doses less of 1600 mg/kg. According to the results obtained, Citrus deliciosa leaves exhibit significant antioxidant activity and are safe at levels lower than 1600 mg/kg B.W., which supports their application in phytotherapy, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and the food sector for therapeutic or preventive purposes.

Due to the increase in food-borne diseases, especially in recent years, consumers' orientation to healthy products and their emphasis on consumption force producers to environmentally friendly products. Nitrogen is the most widely used plant nutrient in the world. Nitrogen, a very expensive input due to its excessive use, pollutes the environment and causes nitrate accumulation in plants. Therefore, vegetable growers strive to replace chemical fertilizers such as nitrogen with environmentally friendly and cost-effective sources. PGPRs stand out in this regard and at the same time, their potential in environmentally and consumer-friendly vegetable production needs to be revealed. In this study, the importance and potential role of N2-fixing PGPR are discussed for the improvement of yield and yield components in environment-friendly vegetable production for healthy human nutrition.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Trakya Bölgesi’nde iklim değişikliğinin buğday bitkisinin verimine etkisini modellemektir. Bu amaçla, çiftçi tarlasından alınan 2020-2021 dönemi buğday verim değeri, aynı yıla ait iklim verileri kullanılarak LINTUL model ile hesaplanan verim değeri ile karşılaştırılarak kalibre edilmiş ve daha sonra HadGEM2-ES ve MPI-ESM-MR küresel iklim modellerinin RCP4.5 ve RCP8.5 senaryolarından elde edilen iklim verileri ile 2031-2040, 2041-2050, 2051-2060, 2061-2070 ve 2071-2080 dönemleri için verim değerleri tahmin edilmiştir. Ekim ve hasat tarihleri değiştirilmeden iki şekilde verim tahmini yapılmıştır: Birincisinde, ortalama en düşük ve en yüksek sıcaklık, solar radyasyon ve yağış değişimi dikkate alınarak verim hesaplaması yapılmıştır. İkincisinde ise solar radyasyon değerleri 2004-2021 dönemi için sabit tutulurken, ortalama en düşük ve en yüksek sıcaklık ve yağış değişimleri hesaba katılmıştır. Birinci yaklaşımda, HadGEM2-ES modelinin RCP4.5 ve RCP8.5 senaryoları için tahmin edilen verim değişimleri sırasıyla %1,5-%7,5 ve -%7,5-%7,5 arasında hesaplanırken, MPI-ESM-MR modeli için yine aynı sırayla %9,0-%13,4 ve %3,0-%16,4 arasında simüle edilmiştir. İkinci yaklaşımda, HadGEM2-ES modelinin RCP4.5 ve RCP8.5 senaryoları için tahmin edilen verim değişimleri sırasıyla %4,5-%9,0 ve -%7,5-%7,5 arasında hesaplanırken, MPI-ESM-MR modeli için yine aynı sırayla %10,4-%13,4 ve %4,5-%19,5 arasında tahmin edilmiştir. Verim tahminlerinde sıcaklık ve yağışla birlikte solar radyasyonun etkisinin de mutlaka göz önünde bulundurulması gerektiği; Türkiye’nin diğer bölgelerinin aksine iklim değişimi ile verimin genelde artış yönünde olacağı tahmin edildiğinden gıda güvencesi için Trakya Bölgesi tarım arazilerinin değişimine izin verilmemesi gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

Bu çalışmada tahıl benzeri bir tohum olan chianın glutensiz top kek üretiminde kullanılabilirliği ve keklerin bazı özellikleri üzerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla chia unu altı farklı oranda (%0, 2, 4, 6, 8 ve 10) pirinç unu ve mısır unu karışımı ile ikame edilerek top kek üretimi yapılmıştır. Formülasyonda chia unu kullanımı, glutensiz top kek örneklerinin karbonhidrat ve enerji hariç diğer tüm kimyasal özelliklerinde artışa neden olmuştur. Chia unu ikame oranının artışına bağlı olarak keklerin özgül hacminde ve pişme kaybında artışlar gözlenirken, kek verim değerlerinde düşüşler gözlenmiştir. Chia unu kullanımı ayrıca keklerin toplam besinsel lif, antioksidan aktivite ve toplam fenolik madde değerlerini de önemli derecede etkilemiştir. Keklerin duyusal değerlendirmesinde genel beğeni açısından en yüksek puanı kontrol örneği alırken, chia unu ikameli kekler kontrolden daha düşük puanlar almıştır. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlar chia ununun özellikle besinsel ve fonksiyonel açıdan glutensiz top kek formülasyonu geliştirilmesinde kullanılabileceğini ve böylece çölyak hastalarının tüketebileceği ürün yelpazesine çeşitlilik kazandırılacağını göstermiştir.

Çalışmanın temel amacı; Son yıllarda Türkiye ve Konya İlinde kuru fasulye üretim alanlarının daralması ile insan beslenmesinde önemli bir yeri olan kuru baklagillerin üretiminde çiftçilerin karar kriterlerinin belirlenerek önceliklendirmek ve öneri geliştirmektir. Türkiye’de kuru fasulye üretim alanı ve miktarı bakımından uzun yıllar ilk sırada yer alan Konya İli ilk sıradaki yerini kaybetmiş olmasına rağmen, Türkiye’nin kuru fasulye üretim alanının %16,14’üne, üretim miktarının %18,7’sine sahiptir. Üretim miktarı bakımından Konya ilinin %31,61’ini oluşturması bakımından Çumra ilçesi araştırma alanı olarak seçilmiştir. İşletmelerin kuru fasulye üretim kararlarına etki eden faktörlerin belirlenmesinde Analitik Hiyerarşi Prosesi (AHP) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. İşletmeler geçmiş tecrübelerinden yararlanarak üretim karalarını belirlemektedirler. Kuru fasulye üretim kararlarını etkileyen temel kriterler; verim, fiyat, işgücü, su ihtiyacı, pazarlama kolaylığı, mekanizasyon, girdi maliyetleri, yetiştiricilik bilgisi, toprak yapısı, desteklemeler olarak belirlenmiştir. İşletmelerin kuru fasulye üretim kararını etkileyen en önemli faktör  “verim” kriteri olmuştur (%20,01). Bunu sırasıyla fiyat (%13,5), girdi maliyetleri (%11,9), Su ihtiyacı (%11,8), pazarlama kolaylığı (%11,2), mekanizasyon (%8,3), işgücü(%6,8), yetiştiricilik bilgisi (%6,3), toprak yapısı (%5,6), desteklemeler (%4,7) olarak belirlenmiştir. Devletin çiftçilere bu yönde verim artırıcı girdilerin zamanında ve uygun dozda kullanmaları yönünde farkındalık kazandırılması gerekmektedir. Yine çiftçilerin yeni teknikleri ve girdileri kullanabilmeleri için ise desteklemelerin iyileştirilmesi olarak önerilmektedir.

In this study, the bioclimatic comfort status for tourism was determined through PET using RayMan model in the case of rural settlements of Kırklareli/Kofçaz located in the northwest part of Turkey. For calculating the thermal comfort index of PET in RayMan, monthly average temperature, relative humidity, and wind measurement long- term values between 1980-2018 with respect to 13 climate stations located within the borders of Turkey and Bulgaria were used and interpolated with the IDW method in ArcGIS program. Afterwards, seasonal, and monthly climatic maps were established regarding annual average temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. The maps obtained were classified according to the comfort zones that determine the bioclimatic comfort and the bioclimatic comfort map of the study area was created. As a result of the assessments performed, it has been determined that the bioclimatic comfort situation varies temporally and spatially. The results obtained from the study will be effective in determining the period and place preferences in tourism planning, determining rural development-oriented strategies, and ensuring the quality of life and comfort of the relevant stakeholders. It will serve as a reference for the climate-sensitive approach targeted in upper-scale plans and policies within the scope of combating climate change.

Fish consumption choices are impacted by the socioeconomic aspects of customers. A field survey was done in 2022 with the purpose of (i) measuring the frequency of fish consumption, (ii) studying the socioeconomic characteristics of customers and their preferences; and (iii) researching the variables impacting the consumption of fish by consumers in the Siraha district. A sample size of 102 individuals was selected randomly from the Siraha district, including the Lahan Municipality, Dhangadhimai Municipality, and Golbazar Municipality, to ensure representation across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered to the participants. Respondents (58.8%) overwhelmingly prefer to eat fish more than twice a week, throughout the year or particularly in winter. Rohu (Labeo rohita) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) are the most often eaten fish species. The frequency of fish-consumption shows a strong connection with income level and education level. The stepwise multiple regression model explained 58.1% of the overall variation in fish consumption. The market structure is not sanitary, the price of fresh fish is expensive, and the consumption frequency of customers is impacted, particularly for poor socio-economic groups. boosted by a variety of various legislation, marketing, and advertising methods. In addition, consumers should be dispersed throughout the year rather than exclusively in particular seasons.

Assessments of Soil physical properties and estimation of their associated variability are essential for making site-specific decisions on soil and crop management This study examined the spatial variability of soil hydro-physical properties and variance structure at Sector F1 of the Jibia Irrigation project Katsina State, Nigeria. Grid sampling technique was used to obtain one hundred and forty-four (144) soil samples from 206 ha of land using Google earth. The grids were drawn using Google earth software at intervals of 150 m x 150 m. Surface soil samples (0 - 20 cm) were collected at grid intersection points. The collected soil samples were air-dried and passed through a 2mm sieve, and analyzed using standard laboratory procedures for physical parameters. The ArcGIS software package 10.3 was used to model the variance structure of Sand, Silt, Clay, Bulk density, Particle density, Percent total porosity and Organic Matter (OM). Results obtained revealed that the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 5.724% in particle density to 109% in clay. The Semivariogram showed that the range of spatial dependence varied from 0.342m for (Dry mean weight diameter) to 9.3m (Organic matter) for all measured soil properties. High Spatial dependency ratios were observed for Bulk density, Sand, Silt and clay contents. Particle density exhibited moderate spatial dependency (Nugget to sill ratio 0.25 – 0.75%). Wet Mean weight diameter and organic matter content have a weak spatial dependency. The results indicated that sandy textured soils dominated the greater part of the study area with low to moderate organic matter content. The soils being sandy-dominated has a high infiltration rate and low ability to retain moisture and nutrients were observed as the major characteristics of the soil of the study area.

Dietary diversity became a global concern in improving health conditions through the habit of food group consumption by adding health dimension to the issue of food calorie consumption. Access to nutritionally adequate and good quality diet is essential to human health, productivity and work output. However, despite the various concerns by governments all over the world on ensuring that every household can at least provide three square meals per day, food insecurity continues to be a major development problem across the globe. This study assessed the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on households’ dietary diversity in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 265 households. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire. The analytical techniques were; Descriptive statistics, Dietary Diversity index and Z-Statistics Test. Gender, age, household size, education, marital status, cooperative membership and access to credit were the socioeconomic characteristics described. Result indicate that 86% of the households had low food dietary diversity while 14% of the households had high food dietary diversity before and after the pandemic lockdown. Similarly, 18% of the households had low calorie consumption while 82% of the households had high dietary diversity before and after the pandemic lockdown. Cereals, legumes/grains, oils/fat, roots and tubers, sugar and honey and meats were the most common food consumed by the households daily before and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Result further indicate that the pandemic lockdown had effect on the dietary diversity and food consumption patterns of the urban households. It can be concluded that the understanding of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on dietary diversity and food consumption patterns of households is important in developing policy measures such as social safety nets, home feeding programmes, the school feeding programme, conditional cash transfers schemes and improved marketing channels that will help mitigate against households falling into food insecurity during similar pandemic in the future.

The world population increasingly consumes about 300million tonnes of meat up to 2018. As this trend continues due to the increasing world population, plastic becomes necessary to preserve meat, required to meet its corresponding demands. Plastics in the meat industry were of immense benefits that have turned into an environmental burden. This is because they protect meat and other products from spoilage but contain many contaminants in the form of microplastics (MPs) additives and trapped carbons. These contaminants significantly contribute to the health risks meat pose and other global environmental concerns. A further concern is that consumers may likely not be aware of the safety risks of these MPs and their additives. Educating the meat consumers through proper labeling of the plastic packaging with straightforward and understandable terms for MPs migratory possibilities rather than industrial terminologies may likely guide the consumer against MPs consumption.